Things you can do
ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE TO HELP PROTECT FISH LAKE!
The federal environmental review panel found that the Prosperity Mine Project will have "significant adverse effects" on the environment, and "high magnitude, long term irreversible" impacts on Tsilhqot'in people and culture. But the report is non-binding - and the public campaign has begun in earnest by the pro-mine camp to convince the federal government that the project should go forward despite the panel's findings.
This is a watershed moment for First Nations’ cultures and environmental protection in Canada. The independent Panel concluded that this Project will result in devastating impacts on productive fisheries and threatened grizzly bear populations, and the permanent loss of an “important cultural and spiritual area” and a “place of spiritual power and healing” for the Tsilhqot’in people. Federal Cabinet needs to know that this is a line that cannot be crossed.
Please act now! Write to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Environment Minister Jim Prentice and Department of Fisheries and Oceans Minister Gail Shea. They all need to hear from you.
You can also sent letters to your MP, MLA, and to the Liberal, ND and Green Party members. And to Liberal Senators. Tell Larry Campbell howyou feel! Here is a list of emails and below is a sample letter you can use. Or you can take points out of this backgrounder, and craft your own. Please bcc us in your emails so we can keep track of letters sent: info@raventrust.com.
At the end of this list, are examples of the letters of support that have been written, including a letter from AFN National Chief Shawn Atleo. And there are several open letters that have been written to refute comments made or to clarify significant points.
Plus, our letter writers are now reporting that letters of reply are appearing in their inboxes from the PMO - and rather than let the dismissively worded missives head for the trash bin, they are sending sharply worded retorts right back. A sample is also below.
***
EMAIL LIST:
Prime Minister Stephen Harper: Harper.S@parl.gc.ca
Conservative federal cabinet Minister of Indian Affairs, John Duncan: Duncan.J@parl.gc.ca
Conservative federal cabinet Minister of the Environment, Jim Prentice: Prentice.J@parl.gc.ca
Conservative federal cabinet Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Gail Shea: Shea.G@parl.gc.ca
Conservative federal cabinet Minister of Natural Resources, Christian Paradis: Paradis.C@parl.gc.ca
Conservative federal cabinet Justice Minister, Rob Nicholson: Nicholson.R@parl.gc.ca
Liberal shadow cabinet Aboriginal Affairs critic, Todd Russell: Russell.T@parl.gc.ca
Liberal shadow cabinet Environment critic, David McGuinty: McGuinty.D@parl.gc.ca
Liberal shadow cabinet Justice critic, Dominic LeBlanc: Leblanc.D@parl.gc.ca
NDP shadow cabinet First Nations, Metis and Inuit Affairs critic, Jean Crowder: Crowder.J@parl.gc.ca
NDP shadow cabinet Environment critic, Linda Duncan: Duncan.L@parl.gc.ca
NDP shadow cabinet Justice critic, Joe Comartin: Comartin.J@parl.gc.ca
Green shadow cabinet Aboriginal Affairs critic, Lorraine Rekmans: lrekmans@greenparty.ca
Green shadow cabinet Environment critic, Lisa Fox: lisafox@greenparty.ca
Green shadow cabinet Justice critic, Jared Giesbrecht: jared.giesbrecht@greenparty.ca
Green shadow cabinet Human Rights critic, Joe Foster: joe.foster@greenparty.ca
BC Liberal Senator Larry Campbell: campbel@sen.parl.gc.ca
BC Liberal Senator Mobina Jaffer: jaffem@sen.parl.gc.ca
If you wish, here is a sample letter you can copy and paste into your email to your MP:
Dear ,
The federally appointed CEAA Panel has issued its' report on the Prosperity Mine Review. Based on the overwhelming evidence brought forward during public hearings, the independent Panel concluded that mine would have “cumulative high and irreversible impacts” in a number of areas, including Tsilhqot'in people and culture, that the false “Prosperity Lake” could not begin to meet DFO's requirements for “no net loss”, that the impacts on blue-listed (endangered) grizzly bears would also be cumulative and irreversible, and that navigation under the Navigable Waters Protection Act would be impossible.
In making its decision, the Conservative government is bound by the Constitution. An independent Panel has confirmed that the proposed Project would have significant adverse impacts on proven and asserted Tsilhqot’in Aboriginal rights, and that there are no mitigation measures in place to accommodate or justify these infringements; in fact, the Panel could not even recommend measures to accommodate these substantial losses. Approval of the Project in the face of these conclusions would constitute a flagrant and unlawful violation of the constitutional rights of the Tsilhqot’in people under s. 35 of the Constitution Act.
The Panel has clearly described what is at stake for the Tsilhqot'in people: "The Panel has determined that the loss of Teztan Biny (Fish Lake) and Nabas areas for current use activities, ceremonies, teaching, and cultural and spiritual practices would be irreversible, of high magnitude and have a long term effect on the Tsilhqot'in" [Report, p. 203]. The Panel confirmed that "the island in Teztan Biny (Fish Lake), which would be destroyed by the mine waste storage area, is a place of spiritual power and healing for the Tsilhqot'in."
I hope you can understand the profound importance of this cultural and spiritual site to the Tsilhqot'in people. It seems to me that, with an independent Panel describing the mine as requiring the permanent destruction of a critical cultural and spiritual site, with high magnitude and permanent impacts on Tsilhqot'in people and culture, this decision represents a defining moment for Canada's relationship to First Nations, and implicates international human rights issues.
In the 20 years that the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) has been in force, only two previous review panels have found that the project they were assessing had "significant adverse environmental effects." (This is the key test under the CEAA.) The federal government has never used the power it has under section 37(1) of CEAA to over-ride an independent review panel's findings.
From the economic perspective, the mine is a detriment to the people of B.C. despite persistent claims to the contrary by Taseko Mines Ltd. Economic analysis carried out by the distinguished economist Dr. Marvin Shaffer of Simon Fraser University demonstrates that there will be no net benefits to the province, but in fact net costs of at least $20 million per year due in part to massive BC Hydro subsidies to Taseko for the project, and also to very significant highway maintenance costs that will be borne by the province, not to mention greenhouse gas offsets that will be required.
Please do not allow our environment and native cultures to once again fall victim to corporate interests. Reject Taseko Mines Ltd.'s proposal.
Sincerely,
(Your name and address)
*******************
SAMPLE REPLY TO THE PMO'S "WE GOT YOUR LETTER, THANKS SO MUCH FOR WRITING..."
On behalf of the Citizens of Canada, your assurance that our eagerly shared suggestions and opinions concerning the potential demise of pristine Teztan Biny will be reviewed carries little weight. Sir, we are more interested in knowing exactly what measures you are willing to take to respect the recommendations of the public hearings and independent panel.
In good faith,
***
You can see the Tsilhqot’in people describe the importance of this area in their own words in the documentary BLUE GOLD: The Tsilhqot’in Fight for Teztan Biny.
Please spread the word and thank you for making your voice heard!
***
For inspiration, you can also read this Open Letter to Prime Minister Harper and Environment Minister Jim Prentice on the Socio-Economic Costs and Benefits of the Proposed Prosperity Mine, dated July 16, 2010 by economist Joan Kuyek.
For Joan Kuyek's CV click here.
Letters of support:
Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo
First Nations Leadership Council
First Nations Women Advocating Responsible Mining (FNWARM)
Little Black Bear Band letter in support of TNG
Michipicoten First Nation support letter
Simpcw First Nation support letter
Tseycum letter of support
Friends of the Nemaiah Valley support letter
Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) support letter
Unitarian support letter
Open Letters:
Open Letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper from Tsilhqot'in Chiefs - July 26, 2010
Letter from TNG to BC Conservative Caucus, signed by all chiefs
Open letter from Nancy Opperman in support of TNG re letter from Williams Lake Chamber of Commerce
Letter from TNG to Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff - August 13, 2010
Letter from TNG to newly-appointed Minister of Indian Affairs - August 13, 2010
The federal environmental review panel found that the Prosperity Mine Project will have "significant adverse effects" on the environment, and "high magnitude, long term irreversible" impacts on Tsilhqot'in people and culture. But the report is non-binding - and the public campaign has begun in earnest by the pro-mine camp to convince the federal government that the project should go forward despite the panel's findings.
This is a watershed moment for First Nations’ cultures and environmental protection in Canada. The independent Panel concluded that this Project will result in devastating impacts on productive fisheries and threatened grizzly bear populations, and the permanent loss of an “important cultural and spiritual area” and a “place of spiritual power and healing” for the Tsilhqot’in people. Federal Cabinet needs to know that this is a line that cannot be crossed.
Please act now! Write to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Environment Minister Jim Prentice and Department of Fisheries and Oceans Minister Gail Shea. They all need to hear from you.
You can also sent letters to your MP, MLA, and to the Liberal, ND and Green Party members. And to Liberal Senators. Tell Larry Campbell howyou feel! Here is a list of emails and below is a sample letter you can use. Or you can take points out of this backgrounder, and craft your own. Please bcc us in your emails so we can keep track of letters sent: info@raventrust.com.
At the end of this list, are examples of the letters of support that have been written, including a letter from AFN National Chief Shawn Atleo. And there are several open letters that have been written to refute comments made or to clarify significant points.
Plus, our letter writers are now reporting that letters of reply are appearing in their inboxes from the PMO - and rather than let the dismissively worded missives head for the trash bin, they are sending sharply worded retorts right back. A sample is also below.
***
EMAIL LIST:
Prime Minister Stephen Harper: Harper.S@parl.gc.ca
Conservative federal cabinet Minister of Indian Affairs, John Duncan: Duncan.J@parl.gc.ca
Conservative federal cabinet Minister of the Environment, Jim Prentice: Prentice.J@parl.gc.ca
Conservative federal cabinet Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Gail Shea: Shea.G@parl.gc.ca
Conservative federal cabinet Minister of Natural Resources, Christian Paradis: Paradis.C@parl.gc.ca
Conservative federal cabinet Justice Minister, Rob Nicholson: Nicholson.R@parl.gc.ca
Liberal shadow cabinet Aboriginal Affairs critic, Todd Russell: Russell.T@parl.gc.ca
Liberal shadow cabinet Environment critic, David McGuinty: McGuinty.D@parl.gc.ca
Liberal shadow cabinet Justice critic, Dominic LeBlanc: Leblanc.D@parl.gc.ca
NDP shadow cabinet First Nations, Metis and Inuit Affairs critic, Jean Crowder: Crowder.J@parl.gc.ca
NDP shadow cabinet Environment critic, Linda Duncan: Duncan.L@parl.gc.ca
NDP shadow cabinet Justice critic, Joe Comartin: Comartin.J@parl.gc.ca
Green shadow cabinet Aboriginal Affairs critic, Lorraine Rekmans: lrekmans@greenparty.ca
Green shadow cabinet Environment critic, Lisa Fox: lisafox@greenparty.ca
Green shadow cabinet Justice critic, Jared Giesbrecht: jared.giesbrecht@greenparty.ca
Green shadow cabinet Human Rights critic, Joe Foster: joe.foster@greenparty.ca
BC Liberal Senator Larry Campbell: campbel@sen.parl.gc.ca
BC Liberal Senator Mobina Jaffer: jaffem@sen.parl.gc.ca
If you wish, here is a sample letter you can copy and paste into your email to your MP:
Dear ,
The federally appointed CEAA Panel has issued its' report on the Prosperity Mine Review. Based on the overwhelming evidence brought forward during public hearings, the independent Panel concluded that mine would have “cumulative high and irreversible impacts” in a number of areas, including Tsilhqot'in people and culture, that the false “Prosperity Lake” could not begin to meet DFO's requirements for “no net loss”, that the impacts on blue-listed (endangered) grizzly bears would also be cumulative and irreversible, and that navigation under the Navigable Waters Protection Act would be impossible.
In making its decision, the Conservative government is bound by the Constitution. An independent Panel has confirmed that the proposed Project would have significant adverse impacts on proven and asserted Tsilhqot’in Aboriginal rights, and that there are no mitigation measures in place to accommodate or justify these infringements; in fact, the Panel could not even recommend measures to accommodate these substantial losses. Approval of the Project in the face of these conclusions would constitute a flagrant and unlawful violation of the constitutional rights of the Tsilhqot’in people under s. 35 of the Constitution Act.
The Panel has clearly described what is at stake for the Tsilhqot'in people: "The Panel has determined that the loss of Teztan Biny (Fish Lake) and Nabas areas for current use activities, ceremonies, teaching, and cultural and spiritual practices would be irreversible, of high magnitude and have a long term effect on the Tsilhqot'in" [Report, p. 203]. The Panel confirmed that "the island in Teztan Biny (Fish Lake), which would be destroyed by the mine waste storage area, is a place of spiritual power and healing for the Tsilhqot'in."
I hope you can understand the profound importance of this cultural and spiritual site to the Tsilhqot'in people. It seems to me that, with an independent Panel describing the mine as requiring the permanent destruction of a critical cultural and spiritual site, with high magnitude and permanent impacts on Tsilhqot'in people and culture, this decision represents a defining moment for Canada's relationship to First Nations, and implicates international human rights issues.
In the 20 years that the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) has been in force, only two previous review panels have found that the project they were assessing had "significant adverse environmental effects." (This is the key test under the CEAA.) The federal government has never used the power it has under section 37(1) of CEAA to over-ride an independent review panel's findings.
From the economic perspective, the mine is a detriment to the people of B.C. despite persistent claims to the contrary by Taseko Mines Ltd. Economic analysis carried out by the distinguished economist Dr. Marvin Shaffer of Simon Fraser University demonstrates that there will be no net benefits to the province, but in fact net costs of at least $20 million per year due in part to massive BC Hydro subsidies to Taseko for the project, and also to very significant highway maintenance costs that will be borne by the province, not to mention greenhouse gas offsets that will be required.
Please do not allow our environment and native cultures to once again fall victim to corporate interests. Reject Taseko Mines Ltd.'s proposal.
Sincerely,
(Your name and address)
*******************
SAMPLE REPLY TO THE PMO'S "WE GOT YOUR LETTER, THANKS SO MUCH FOR WRITING..."
On behalf of the Citizens of Canada, your assurance that our eagerly shared suggestions and opinions concerning the potential demise of pristine Teztan Biny will be reviewed carries little weight. Sir, we are more interested in knowing exactly what measures you are willing to take to respect the recommendations of the public hearings and independent panel.
In good faith,
***
You can see the Tsilhqot’in people describe the importance of this area in their own words in the documentary BLUE GOLD: The Tsilhqot’in Fight for Teztan Biny.
Please spread the word and thank you for making your voice heard!
***
For inspiration, you can also read this Open Letter to Prime Minister Harper and Environment Minister Jim Prentice on the Socio-Economic Costs and Benefits of the Proposed Prosperity Mine, dated July 16, 2010 by economist Joan Kuyek.
For Joan Kuyek's CV click here.
Letters of support:
Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo
First Nations Leadership Council
First Nations Women Advocating Responsible Mining (FNWARM)
Little Black Bear Band letter in support of TNG
Michipicoten First Nation support letter
Simpcw First Nation support letter
Tseycum letter of support
Friends of the Nemaiah Valley support letter
Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) support letter
Unitarian support letter
Open Letters:
Open Letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper from Tsilhqot'in Chiefs - July 26, 2010
Letter from TNG to BC Conservative Caucus, signed by all chiefs
Open letter from Nancy Opperman in support of TNG re letter from Williams Lake Chamber of Commerce
Letter from TNG to Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff - August 13, 2010
Letter from TNG to newly-appointed Minister of Indian Affairs - August 13, 2010
